Prime Minister of Qatar buys $47million NYC townhouse after calling off $100million penthouse deal... because it only had two elevators (for his two wives and 15 children)

He may be one of the most recognisable faces in Qatar, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani certainly had issues with New York real estate - until now.
The sheikh has reportedly purchased an exclusive Manhattan townhouse after dishing out $47million.
Located at 22 E. 71st Street, the property was previously owned by real estate magnate Aby Rosen, the co-founder and president of RFR Holdings.

Real estate woes: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani had been hunting for property in New York for the last several months

The massive mansion is 45 feet wide and complimented by high ceilings and several balconies

Sprawling: The sheikh paid a whopping $47million for the property, located at 22 East 71st Street in Manhattan

Lavish: A living room in the townhouse comes complete with a dining area

The 21,000-square-foot mansion boasts five floors, a reception hall, and a jacuzzi, according to property listings.

The New York Post reported that while Rosen was known to host extravagant parties at the property, he never actually lived there.

 

The super-secret deal was reportedly done without a broker to keep the sheikh's name from getting out.
A source told the Post: 'The house has been purchased through an LLC, Tower Management Holdings, to protect the identity of the buyer, Sheik Hamad, who has been looking to purchase a New York property.'

Buyers and sellers: The townhouse was previously owned by real estate mogul Aby Rosen, pictured above with his wife Samantha Boardman Rosen, and sold to the sheikh, right

In the kitchen: The home has plenty of room for the sheikh, his two wives and 15 children to get something to eat

Fun and games: Complete with a ping pong table, this rec room is ideal for entertaining any of the sheikh's guests

Posh: The house also has an incredible marble staircase and plenty of living space

It was reported last month that al-Thani had his eyes on a nearly $100million 10,923 square foot penthouse in the exclusive One57 building, the Big Apple's most expensive.
The astronomical fee of the penthouse apartment eclipsed the $88million forked out by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev on a penthouse for his daughter last winter at 15 Central Park West.
But the Post reported that the sheikh's deal was called off by al-Thani himself because he felt the building's two elevators were not enough for his two wives, 15 kids and entourage of handlers and armed guards.

Loss: The sheik called off a deal to purchase a $100million penthouse in the not-yet-completed One57 building, complete with 10,923 square feet and breathtaking views of the city skyline

The view: When completed, the towering One57 building will provide unparalleled views of Central Park

High above the rest: Residents in the penthouse of the shimmering glass tower will look down on their neighbors

He was also reportedly in discussions about buying four separate, full-floor condos in the exclusive Midtown building, which would bring the total cost to an incredible $250million.

The penthouse, on the 89th and 90th floors, boasts a ‘grand salon’, at least five bedrooms, four fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and a large mezzanine, the Post reported.

As well as staggering views over the Manhattan skyline and beyond, the property also features impressive 23-foot ceilings.
Al-Thani expressed interest in the Midtown penthouse after his bid for two Fifth Avenue apartments owned by the famously reclusive and recently deceased Huguette Clark, was rejected.

Rejected: Al-Thani initially hoped to buy a couple of Fifth Avenue apartments, owned by the late copper heiress Huguette Clark, for $31.5 million but his bid was rejected by the co-op board

Despite offering $500,000 more than the asking price, the powerful PM’s bid was refused with the building's co-op board - who refused to even grant the sheikh an interview.
It is thought the board stonewalled his offer after it was revealed he planned to knock the two eight floor apartments into one.
It was also reported that al-Thani's huge family - and the entourage of staff who travel with them - also caused concerns for the co-op board.
Other reasons cited for the rejection were concerns about where his money was coming from and the fact that the Sheikh is a foreign head of state with diplomatic immunity.

Stunning: Pictures from within Fifth Avenue apartments owned by Huguette Clark show just how desirable they are